Horrific news broke recently: Cheese is as addictive as cocaine. Or so a new study says.

First it was sugar. What’s next? A 12-step program to get off kale? A little patch to slap on your arm that stops the blueberry urges? Oy.
The study, done at the University of Michigan, found that casein, the protein in cheese, is to blame. As it’s digested, it releases opiates, the substance found in hard drugs like heroine that makes you feel euphoric, and then insanely depressed the next day.

Whoa. Your pizza has the same effect as heroine? This is crazy news.

I don’t usually talk about alarmist studies or trends, but this is one to consider.

The big question is, what do we do next? Is everyone really going to stop eating cheese? Probably not.

People all over the world have been eating cheese for centuries, and it’s a huge part of culture.

And, it’s DELICIOUS.

Addiction aside, the side effects of overdosing on cheese are not pretty. They include:

– Uncomfortable bloating
– Congestion
– Decreased immunity (you’re more likely to get sick)
– Skin problems like acne
– Indigestion

So what’s the answer? How can we enjoy cheese in moderation and still feel great?

1. Notice how it makes you feel. When you’re willing to get honest about how different foods affect you, it’s much easier to make the right choices. When you acknowledge the effects cheese has on your body, it will be a lot easier to moderate it.

2. Eliminate. If you suspect you have a cheese intolerance, it might be a cool experiment to take it out of your diet for 14 days and then reintroduce it and notice any reactions. This is the best way to identify intolerances, and can be done with any suspicious food. Remember, this is just a test. You’re not eliminating cheese forever.

3. Moderate and savor. With any food, it’s game changing to slow down, sit down, chew well, and really notice all the flavors. This gives your brain time to catch up with your stomach and recognize when you’re full, instead of powering through a wheel of brie in 5 minutes and noticing how sick you feel afterward.

4. Take digestive enzymes. Listen, sh*t happens, and sometimes you just want that slice of pizza. Or three. Digestive enzymes are hugely helpful in easing the bloating and brain fog that a lot of people experience after rich meals. Keep them on hand.

5. Move your body. This is just as much for your mind as your body. A lot of people get wrapped up in guilt after indulging and need to bring in some serotonin to rebalance their brains and realize it’s not the end of the world, even if they did eat the whole pizza. On a physical level, exercise stimulates circulation and digestion, moving toxicity and excess out of your body.

Ok, there’s your cheese game plan.

Now I want to hear from you. Do you love cheese? Are you deeply saddened by this news? I am. But I’m still gonna eat it sometimes. Cause I’m a rebel.

Will you experiment with this 5-step game plan? Tell me in the comments below.

I can’t wait to hear from you.

Photo via Food 52